Four Sikhs who had a retired Indian army general followed around London before ambushing him and slashing his throat were jailed today (Tuesday).

The group attacked retired Lieutenant-General Kuldip Singh Brar, 78, and wife Meena outside their hotel in London's west end on the evening of September 30 2012, to avenge a military operation he led during his career.

The suspects were convicted of GBH wounding with intent in July after a two-week trial at Southwark Crown Court, and sentenced today, Tuesday, December 10.

Harjit Kaur, 39, of Berwick Avenue, Hayes, was jailed for 11 years.

Mandeep Singh Sandhu, 35, of Great Barr, Birmingham, and Dilbag Singh, 37, of no fixed address, were both sentenced to 14 years.

Barjinder Singh Sangha, 34, from Wolverhampton, admitted to the same charge and was jailed for 10-and-a-half years. A separate assault charge will lie on file.

The group, who are Sikh, are believed to have set out to attack Mr Brar in retaliation for his military leadership during a siege at the Sikh Golden Temple, Operation Blue Star, in Amritsar in 1984.

During the trial, jurors heard that the group carried out reconnaissance around Mr Brar's hotel after learning that he was in the country.

Mrs Kaur followed the couple around London, and provided her co-defendants with regular updates about the couple’s movements.

Sangha, Sandhu, and Singh and another man then stopped the Brars as they walked along Old Quebec Street towards their hotel.

Mr Brar fought back in self defence, but Sangha drew a knife and slashed his neck. He sustained a deep cut across

The case was investigated by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15).